Aerial Disciplines

Please note: these classes are for students aged 16+.
The prerequisite skills listed must be mastered and readily recalled before advancing to the next level.

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Multi-level classes

For classes that are level 1 & 2 or 2 & 3, instruction will be provided for both levels.

Instructors may use language/phrases such as “Level 2’s are doing scissor beats, Level 3’s feel free to carry them into break beats”

In a multi-level class, you must meet the prerequisites for the lower level to attend

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Levels are specific to each discipline

It's important to note that each discipline will have different parameters and prerequisites for each level.

For example: you meet the prerequisites for a level 1 Aerial Hoop class, you would not also meet the prerequisites for a level 1 Partner Acro class

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Prerequisites apply to all levels

Our prerequisites are designed to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all students. It's important to check prerequisites for each class you wish to attend. Your instructor will let you know once you are ready to move to the next level. You must be signed off to move up.

Check the level prerequisites for your class/discipline below

Aerial Hoop (Lyra)

A pair of hands holding a black hula hoop in front of a gray background.

An aerial hoop is a circular metal ring hung from the ceiling, sometimes called a lyra. The rigid foundation of the hoop allows space for creative dance, flow, and strength in and around! Many skills in the Aerial Hoop and Trapeze disciplines are interchangeable and complement each other nicely.

Prerequisites

  • No pre-requisites

  • 5-second bent arm hang, Double knee hang, Gazelle, Pull over, Straddle back balance, Front balance, Able to hold an inverted straddle hang and get up onto a raised hoop or trapeze without assistance

  • Chin-up pullover to front balance, Single arm and single knee hangs, Clean tuck and straddle invert, Meathook or actively working towards meathook, Experience with dynamic movements (ie. barrel rolls and monkey rolls)

Aerial Trapeze

Person holding a black leather-wrapped fitness or gymnastics apparatus, likely for aerial or strength training, against a dark curtain background.

Trapeze is an apparatus made with a horizontal bar and ropes. One of the classic circus apparatuses! You learn to manipulate your body around the ropes and bar. Having the combination of these two hard/soft elements makes room for both grace and grit! Many skills in aerial hoop and aerial trapeze are interchangeable and compliment each other nicely. So come get up off the ground! Typically for Foundations, we teach Aerial Hoop & Trapeze together.

Prerequisites

  • No pre-requisites

  • 5-second bent arm hang, Double knee hang, Gazelle, Pull over, Straddle back balance, Front balance, One arm hang minimum 5-second single knee hang, Able to hold an inverted straddle hang and get up onto a raised hoop or trapeze without assistance

  • Chin-up pullover to front balance, Single arm and single knee hangs, Clean tuck and straddle invert, Meathook or actively working towards meathook, Experience with dynamic movements (ie. barrel rolls and monkey rolls)

Aerial Hammock

An aerialist performing an aerial silk routine in a black leotard against a dark background.

Aerial hammock is similar to aerial silks but instead of two open-ended pieces of fabric, the hammock makes a loop in which you can suspend yourself off of the ground. Aerial hammock is a very versatile apparatus in that it is a great way to familiarize yourself with the feel of silks without initially requiring all of the strength to climb up the silks, and it can also be a very challenging apparatus in and of itself! 

Prerequisites

  • No pre-requisites

  • 5 second bent arm hang, Mermaid, Arabesque, Candycane roll, Straddle back balance, Hipkey, Falling angel drop, Able to invert from standing in the loop

  • Extensive aerial hammock experience is required to attend this class (permission must be granted by your aerial hammock instructor at Island Circus Space in order to attend this class), Able to free invert from a bent arm hang in the air

Aerial Silks

A person performing an aerial silk dance upside-down in a dimly lit setting with purple lighting.

Aerial silks are an elegant and visual apparatus that involves the acrobat creating a variety of knots and wraps in fabric suspended from the ceiling. In the foundations class, you will be introduced to the basic climbs, knots, and wraps as well as build up your strength and familiarity with the apparatus. Let's get you soaring!

Prerequisites

  • 5-second bent arm hang

  • Basic climb, Footlock in the air, Double footlock, Able to invert with ease, 10-second inverted straddle hang

  • Fluency in a wide range of skills, Ability to troubleshoot when something doesn't go as planned, X-cross back, Double star drop, Hipkey, Slack drop, Triple falling angel, Able to straddle invert cleanly with straight legs

Aerial Straps

A shirtless person with a bent-over posture hanging upside down from aerial straps, with his arms extended and legs crossed in a gym or studio setting.

Aerial straps are an awe-inspiring discipline and a feat of strength. Straps are one of the most simple aerial disciplines but don't let this fool you, it’s also one of the most challenging disciplines. In this class, you will learn shapes and holds, proper wrap and roll-up techniques, and how to use momentum in a controlled and efficient way.

Prerequisites

  • No pre-requisites

  • No pre-requisites. Overall good health.

Aerial Rope

Close-up of a hand gripping a beige fabric strap, with a gray background.

Aerial rope is a dynamic and graceful apparatus that has many similarities to aerial silks, but different in that instead of two pieces of fabric there is just simply one rope. Building on your knowledge gained from silks class, rope will take your aerial experience to a new level.

Prerequisites

  • Russian climbs on either side, Closed drop experience (ie: star drop, saltos, triple falling angel, etc), Consistent body engagement throughout, Active aerial awareness (ie: no closed eyes), Consistent fan-leg hipkey, Consistent inversions in the air (bent legs ok), Catchers hang

  • S-wrap entry and wheeldown (diamond legs ok), Basic beats (bell, pike, scissor, front-back), Piked forward fold (front balance), with 1 hand

  • Open Salto/Open Star, Back Dive, Front-Back Beat Half Releases, Popthroughs from Beats, Hipkey Rollups (dynamic is ok), Swivels and Flairs, Hipkey Climbs, Meathook Climbs, Inside and Outside Breakbeats, High Straddle Beats (peach shaped)

Aerial Yoga

Woman doing aerial silks yoga outdoors on rocks with a clear sky background.

Aerial yoga is a mixture of aerials and yoga. The hammock is kept close to the ground and becomes a swing in which to support and stretch the body in mid-air. Aerial yoga has particular benefits in strengthening and stretching the whole body, decompressing the spine, improving circulation, and lifting one's mood. Elevate your yoga practice!

Prerequisites

  • Come join a class!